Dear Editor,

Most days are comparable to the fiery furnace that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon ordered to be heated seven times hotter before Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be thrown in, according to Daniel 3:19. It’s undeniably unbearable, and many of us are hardly coping.

The extreme heat is affecting our productivity. Under normal circumstances, people are able to perform their duties optimally; however, most times we feel drained, drowsy, and demotivated. People have to be careful of how much time they spend outside because they may end up fainting in the heat of the sun.

For those with slabbed roofs but have no air conditioning unit, it can be quite difficult to sleep at night. Imagine being miserable all day and still cannot sleep at night. What is worse is that some people cannot take a shower in the middle of the night to cool them down because the National Water Commission (NWC) has announced scheduled water lock-offs due to the drought being experienced.

Some people have been doubling up on their fans to help them ward off some of the heat, even though at times it’s a lot of hot air that comes from them.

In an effort to ease the pressure of the heat, here are some recommendations:

1) Drink plenty water throughout the day. Of course, this one is quite obvious; nevertheless, people may need to invest in a reasonably sized water bottle that they can take to work with them. Where feasible, companies could install a water cooler dispenser that employees can access.

2) Consume water-rich food. While fruits and vegetables can be a little expensive, high water content such as watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, lettuce, and cucumbers can provide liquid and effective nutrients to the body.

3) Avoid sugary and carbonated beverages. People typically do not think about this, so they tend to buy any random or affordable beverage to drink when they are thirsty. However, sodas and sweetened juices may lead to more dehydration than actual hydration.

4) Avoid being outside during peak sun hours. There are certain times of the day that are very hot. It is advisable to stay indoors during these periods. If you have to be outside, ensure you have appropriate covering, such as an umbrella.

5) Allow air in your house. Where possible, leave doors and windows open so that the natural breeze can pass through your house to ease the hot temperatures.

During this time it is also critical to be our brother’s keep. Be sure to check on the seniors to ensure they are keeping hydrated. Additionally, some women are going through menopause and are finding it difficult to cope with the heat. Let us also exercise a little more patience when people seem a little clumsy; it may just be the heat that is affecting them.

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com